445 research outputs found
Corporate Social Responsibility Agreements Model for Community Development: The Case of Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Limited and its Mine Local Community
In Ghana, community development is regarded by mine local communities as the most important aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to the extent that often community development is perceived to be a statutory responsibility of mining companies. Consequently, mine local communities demand for more and more, sometimes prohibitively expensive, contributions towards community development. The inability of mining companies to meet all the demands often leads to unsavoury relation between mining companies and their host communities with concomitant adverse effect on mining operations. This constitutes a business risk that needs to be addressed properly by shifting from the earlier practices of making voluntary contributions towards community development to making sustainable community development an integral part of the mining business. This paper presents the evolutionary strategic models, with differing principles and action plans, used by Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Limited (GSBPL) over the years to manage the development of its Bogoso/Prestea Mine Local Community (BPMLC), videlicet from a poor Philanthropic Community Assistance Model (PCAM) to an improved but ineffective Community Driven Assistance Model (CDAM) and eventually to the current effective, successful CSR Agreements Model (CSRAM). The paper also highlights the lessons learnt from the negotiation process that led to formulation of the CSRAM as well as the benefits and successes resulting from its implementation and the challenges. It is concluded that mutual understanding, tolerance, transparency, trust, commitment and accountability are key to the successful management of CSR and community development. Keywords: Social Responsibility, Agreements Model, Mining Communitie
African Stock Markets and Return Predictability
This article re-examines the return predictability of eight African stock markets. When returns of stocks are predictable, arbitrageurs make abnormal gains from analyzing prices. The study uses a non-parametric Generalised Spectral (GS) test in a rolling window approach. The rolling window approach tracts the periods of efficiency over time. The GS test is robust to conditional heteroscedasticity and it detects the presence of linear and nonlinear dependencies in a stationary time series. Our results support the Adaptive Market Hypothesis (AMH). This is because, indices whose returns were observed to be predictable by analyzing them in absolute form and therefore weak - form inefficient showed trends of unpredictability in a rolling window
Yields and qualities of pigeonpea varieties grown under smallholder farmers’ conditions in Eastern and Southern Africa
Pigeonpea is one of the few crops with a high potential for resource-poor farmers due to its complementary resource use when intercropped with maize. A three year comprehensive comparative study on the performance of six pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) varieties on farmers’ fields in Eastern and Southern Africa where intercropping with maize is normal practice, was undertaken. The varieties were tested for accumulation of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in all above-ground organs for three years under farmers’ conditions. The study revealed that the latest introduced ICEAP 00040 outperformed all the other tested varieties (ICP 9145; ICEAP 00020, ICEAP 00053, ICEAP 00068, and a local variety called “Babati White”) under farmer-managed conditions. The harvest indices (HI), ranging from 0.08-0.15 on dry matter (DM) basis, were relatively low and unaffected (P>0.05) by the environmental variation. The N harvest index (NHI) was 0.28 and P harvest index (PHI) was 0.19. The better responses of ICEAP00040 to favourable conditions could however only be realised in a minority of cases as yields generally were low. These low yields are still a major challenge in African smallholder agriculture as pulses play an important role in soil fertility maintenance as well as in the household diets
The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors and Meat Attributes on Willingness to Pay for Locally or Regionally Produced Livestock Products in Alabama
Socioeconomic factors and meat attributes are believed to influence willingness to pay for specially produced livestock products. However, limited research has been done on this subject particularly in Alabama. The study, therefore, assessed the impact of socioeconomic factors and meat attributes on willingness to pay for locally or regionally produced livestock products in Alabama. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of participants from South Central Alabama, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic analysis. The socioeconomic characteristics reflected more middle-aged or younger persons, with a fairly good education, and with low to moderate household incomes. A majority thought using chemicals in locally or regionally produced beef or goat meat was a serious hazard. Therefore, many were willing to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced. Also, most agreed or strongly agreed with statements on meat attributes. The ordinal logistic results revealed that household size, safety (safe to consume), no difference (in safety), and hygiene had significant relationships with willingness to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced. Keywords: socioeconomic factors, meat attributes, local or regional, willingness to pay, livestock product
Assessing Alabama Consumer Attitudes and Beliefs About Locally or Regionally Produced Livestock and Products
Abstract
Local and regional food production has gained increased interest of consumers in recent years. The study, therefore, focused on assessing consumer attitudes and beliefs on local or regional livestock products. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 432 participants from South Central Alabama, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including chi-square tests. A majority of respondents thought using chemicals and additives in locally or regionally produced beef or goat meat was a serious hazard. Therefore, many were willing to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced. Also, most agreed or strongly agreed with statements on meat attributes. Chi-square tests showed that gender, education, and household income had significant relationships with willingness to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced. Furthermore, safety, no difference, affordability, desirability, and hygiene had significant relationships with willingness to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced.
Keywords: Consumers, Attitudes and Beliefs, Local and Regional, Willingness to Pay, Livestock Product
An Analysis of the Characteristics and Practices of Selected Alabama Small Livestock Producers: A Focus on Economics and Marketing
Abstract
The study examined the characteristics and practices of small livestock producers, focusing on economics and marketing. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 121 small producers from several South Central Alabama counties, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including chi-square tests. The socioeconomic characteristics reflected a higher proportion of part-time farmers; a higher proportion with at most a two-year/technical degree or some college education; and a higher proportion with $40,000 or less annual household income. A majority had been farming more than thirty years, and most had small herds. Also, very few made profits; many sold animals live on-farm or at auction/stockyard, and kept records. The chi-square tests showed that farming status, gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, and household income had statistically significant relationships with selected farm, economic, and marketing characteristics. Educational programs should be implemented in the study area emphasizing economics and marketing, and taking into consideration socioeconomic factors
Forecast of Future Aviation Fuels. Part 1: Scenarios
A preliminary set of scenarios is described for depicting the air transport industry as it grows and changes, up to the year 2025. This provides the background for predicting the needs for future aviation fuels to meet the requirements of the industry as new basic sources, such as oil shale and coal, which are utilized to supplement petroleum. Five scenarios are written to encompass a range of futures from a serious resource-constrained economy to a continuous and optimistic economic growth. A unique feature is the choice of one immediate range scenario which is based on a serious interruption of economic growth occasioned by an energy shortfall. This is presumed to occur due to lags in starting a synfuels program
Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Florida Consumers\u27 Perceptions on Use of Chemical in Locally or Regionally Produced Livestock Products
Abstract
The use of chemicals in livestock production has been an issue for consumers for several decades. This study, therefore, assessed the impact of socioeconomic factors on Florida consumers’ perceptions on the use of chemicals in locally or regionally produced livestock products. Data were collected from a sample of 404 participants from several Florida counties and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic analysis. Most of the respondents were of the opinion that using chemicals in locally or regionally produced and sold beef or goat meat was a serious or somewhat serious hazard. The ordinal logistic regression results showed that several socioeconomic factors, such as household size, gender, age, and education had significant effects on pesticide residues; antibiotics; artificial fertilizers; additives and preservatives, and artificial coloring. It was recommended that producers and processors should minimize the use of chemicals in livestock products as this has both short- and long-term benefits.
Keywords: Socioeconomic Factors, Chemicals, Consumer Perceptions, Locally or Regionally Produced, Livestock Product
An Examination of Selected Small Livestock Producers’ Implementation of Identified Best Practices in Alabama
Getting small farmers to adopt “best practices” has been a key challenge in general, but particularly, in the Southeastern U.S. This study focused on selected small livestock producers’ implementation identified best practices in Alabama. Data were obtained through interviews from twelve producers in, primarily, selected South Central Alabama counties emphasizing best practices as well as other production indicators. The subjects were mainly beef cattle and meat goat producers. The identified best practices were: rotational grazing, soil testing, quarantining, deworming, veterinary services, and record keeping. The data were analyzed using descriptive narrative and simple statistics. The demographics showed more male than female producers, and more meat goat producers than beef cattle producers. Also, the results revealed that the commonest best practice was deworming; followed by quarantining, soil testing and record keeping, and rotational grazing. Using veterinary services was the least practiced best practice; most producers chose to provide their own animal health services. The results provide an opportunity for assistance providers to educate producers on the importance of adopting the best practices. Keywords: Small Producers, Livestock Producers, Best Practices, Case Study
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